The Gospel of the Kingdom

During the ministry of Jesus, He preached the gospel of the kingdom wherever he went. Later, the Apostle Paul “proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31, TNIV). It is the mission of the Church to continue this tradition until the kingdom comes in all its glory. Therefore, it is imperative that we spread the word of the kingdom faithfully. The Gospel of Matthew reveals at least five fundamental truths about the kingdom of God.

The Advance of the Kingdom
The kingdom of God is at hand. It has been growing like a seed into a tree since the coming of Christ and will be established with power and glory when He comes again. In the meantime, the kingdom comes to those in whose lives the power of the Spirit is manifested. And through the Church the rule of God is being spread. However, though the will and influence of God reigns in the hearts and minds of many (and more each day), Satan is also at work to defeat the advance of God’s kingdom in this world and the lives of men. Not surprisingly, Jesus promises that the gates of Hell will not ultimately be able to withstand the assault of His Church, those who have the keys to His kingdom.

The Access of the Kingdom
Faith is the key to entrance into God’s kingdom, which is only possible for those who are ready to stop being self-centered and commit to a radically God-centered life. Those not disinterested or defiant, but decidedly devoted to Christ, adopt a very different set of priorities. Their allegiance is to their King and they submit to the reality of the kingdom in their lives and in the age to come regardless of their present circumstances. The kingdom comes first for them, even before the necessities of life, because they trust their King will provide. They hold their earthly possessions lightly, knowing a greater inheritance is theirs. One thing is clear: even in the face of overwhelming obstacles, the people of the kingdom will continue to preach the gospel and persevere until the end.

The Attitude of the Kingdom
Humility is the key relationships in God’s kingdom. The children of the kingdom are in need of God and know it. They have come to God for healing and forgiveness and must in turn be people of forgiveness. No one has special privileges. Special honor goes only to the ones suffering or serving others.

The Actions of the Kingdom
Righteousness is the key to living in God’s kingdom. Righteousness begins with repentance and continues by producing the fruit of the kingdom. Kingdom people are not interested in relaxing their Ruler’s commands but in keeping them and teaching them to others. Their hearts’ desire is to do God’s will and to be, not merely seem, righteous in His sight. Far be it from them to turn people away from the kingdom by hypocritical living. Their lives prove their hearts. Eternal life and glory will be their reward.

The Authority of the Kingdom
Submission is the key to power in the God’s kingdom. Where His dominion is manifested His will is done; all things are made new. As people submit to the rule of God in their lives, they are invested with authority and power over all His (their) enemies—disobedience, disease, demons, death—and over nature, to make them also subject to Christ in order to set people free from the dominion of darkness.

The Attestation of the Kingdom
References to the kingdom of God in the Gospel of Matthew are as follows:
3:2
4:17, 23
5:3, 10, 19-20
6:10, 13, 33
7:21
8:11-12
9:35
10:7-8
11:11-12
12:25,26, 28
13:11, 18-23, 24-30, 31-32, 33, 37-43, 44, 45, 47-50, 52
16:18-19, 24-28
18:1-4, 23-34
19:13-12, 14, 23-24
20:1-16, 21-23
21:28-32, 43
22:2-14
23:13
24:9-14
25:1-13, 31-46
26:29